BTG Fall 2018

Learning to de-escalate Another essential skill for counselors is learning how to de-escalate difficult situations, such as a client becoming angry and threatening to act-out physically. Or, a client’s resistance to accepting help might anger a counselor. “You have to keep calm and deal with it, and not take it personally. Otherwise, it can become a yelling match.” The objectivity involved in evidence-based practice can also help the counselor maintain a healthy emotional stance, she says. Meeker has found that her own experience as a recovering addict has also helped her reach clients. “I can relate to their situation, give them my feedback, tell them about things I have been through. And show them it’s possible to be clean, sober and healthy.” Addiction counseling professionals often talk about the importance of “meeting clients where they are.” That means developing a treatment plan that is “suitable just for that client,”Meeker explains. “Not every treatment (component) is suitable for each client, so we have to tailor it.”

“Not every treatment component is suitable for each client, so we have to tailor it.” -Tina Meeker

For example, a client might smoke cigarettes. “You might see it as a problem, but they don’t. So, why would you put it on a treatment plan if they have no desire to do anything about it?” Another reason for using a tailored approach is that the mental health symptoms which often co-occur in addicts and alcoholics vary greatly in severity. “Meeting clients where they are” also means considering clients’ family backgrounds and other life-experiences and factoring those into treatment planning. When some treatment clients learn about basic life-skills such as communicating effectively or controlling anger, they may be hearing the information for the first time. Sometimes addiction gets in the way of normal life experiences. “Some clients might be in their 50s and haven’t even held a job yet,”Meeker says.

As she continues to progress in her counseling career, Meeker hopes to return to school to earn a B.A. degree in social work or psychology. “I like the environment I’m working in, but I would like to explore it a little more.”

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